A. Name

The name of this organization is "ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS-CWA," hereinafter referred to as the Union.

B. Definitions

1. The words "Constitution and Bylaws" when used herein mean the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

2. The term "flight attendant" when used herein shall include any flight cabin crew member in commercial air transportation.

C. Objectives

1. To unite all cabin crew members in the airline industry regardless of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression who are eligible for membership.

2. To negotiate working conditions, rates of pay and rules for all members that are the best in the industry and farsighted in scope.

3. To operate as a non-profit employee representing Union, not for pecuniary gain.

4. To promote the interest of the profession and to safeguard the rights, individually and collectively, of the members of the Union by securing the long-range goal of flight attendant certification.

5. To safeguard, with ceaseless vigilance, the safety of scheduled air transportation in recognition of the high degree of public trust, confidence and responsibility placed on the members of the Union.

6. To establish and exercise the right of collective bargaining for the purpose of making and maintaining employment agreements covering rates of pay, rules and working conditions for the members and to settle promptly disputes and grievances which may arise between such members and their employers.

7. To further scheduling with safety in any practical manner.

8. To establish fair rates of compensation, maximum hours of employment and uniform principles of seniority for members and to seek the adoption and perpetuation thereof.

9. To urge, support, and sponsor the passage of legislation and regulations affecting members which will improve, protect, and increase the safety of their working conditions.

10.To purchase, hold, acquire, lease, mortgage and convey real estate and personal property of any kind, nature, and description, for the convenient conduct and execution of the Union's business, including the purchasing, leasing and maintaining of equipment, buildings, and improvements which may be necessary, directly or indirectly, in connection with any of the business and objectives of the Union. Such assets shall be held in the name of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

11.To disseminate news in any manner to keep the membership alert and well informed.

12.To levy initiation fees, dues and assessments upon its members to provide the funds with which to carry on the business and objectives of the Union, including the payment of all expenses, emergency or otherwise relating thereto, and to establish an ample reserve fund for the current and future protection of its members.

13.To consider and, if desirable, make provision for suitable pension, annuity, retirement, and disability benefits for all members through legislation, collective bargaining and other means.

14.To consider and, if desirable, establish a mutual aid plan for members of the Union.

15.To do any and all other acts consistent with and in furtherance of the policies and purposes herein declared.

16. To conduct all affairs of the Union in a manner that will preclude discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

17. To sponsor and support equal rights legislation.

18. To pursue cooperative agreements with other AFL-CIO affiliated unions which further the interests of the Union.

D. Structure

The structure of the Union shall consist of the following:

1. Board of Directors

2. Executive Board

3. Master Executive Council

4. Local Executive Council.

 

E. International Office Location

The location of the Office of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

F. Duration

The duration of the Union shall be perpetual, or until dissolved as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws.

G. Dissolution

1. The Union may be dissolved at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the active members in good standing, such vote to be conducted by the Executive Board.

2. The Executive Board shall promptly conduct such vote as provided above by a mail ballot on the request by petition to the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of a majority of the active members in good standing, or on the written request addressed to the International Secretary-Treasurer of three-fourths (3/4) of all the members of the Board of Directors.

3. In the event of such dissolution, the Executive Board shall act as agent for the members and dispose of all physical assets of the Union by public auction, private sales, or otherwise, and any and all questions relating thereto shall be decided by a majority vote of the Executive Board. All the liquid assets shall then be prorated to the active members of record in good standing in proportion to the dues then being paid by each of such members. Any amounts that may have been paid into the Union for insurance or other benefits shall be dealt with separately and prorated only to those members who contributed to such funds and in proportion to their aggregate individual contributions.

H. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall commence on the first day of June and expire on the 31st day of May of each year.

I. Bills, Notes, Checks, Etc.

All bills payable, notes, checks, or other negotiable instruments of the Union shall be made in the name of the Union.  The International President shall sign and the International Secretary-Treasurer or other properly bonded employee shall countersign all such notes, checks, or other negotiable instruments; however, the International President and the International Secretary-Treasurer may from time to time transfer such sums of money to administrative accounts, including payroll accounts, petty cash accounts, and such other accounts as may be necessary to meet administrative and current obligations of the Union.  The International President and  International Secretary-Treasurer may jointly designate properly bonded employees to sign checks for and draw upon such administrative accounts.  All persons authorized to sign any negotiable instruments for the Union shall be bonded in any amount consistent with the amount of funds over which they may have control.

No officer or agent of the Union, either singly or jointly with others, shall have the power to make any bills payable, notes, checks, drafts, warrants or other negotiable instruments nor endorse the same in the name of the Union, nor contract or cause to be contracted any debt or liability in the name of or in behalf of the Union, except as expressly prescribed and provided in the Constitution and Bylaws.

Bank accounts opened for a Master Executive Council or Local Executive Council in compliance with the Union's established procedures shall be the responsibility of the respective Master or Local Executive Council President, and cannot be unilaterally closed or withheld from service by the International Office of this Union, without communicating such action with the MECP/LECP unless extenuating circumstances exist that preclude such communication. (Board 2008)

J. Membership Credentials

Every member in good standing shall receive a membership card.  The membership card shall contain thereon the name of the member and such additional information as may be deemed nec¬essary, and shall be signed by the International Secretary-Treasurer and shall bear the Seal of the Union.

K. Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws

The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended, added to, or any part or parts thereof may be repealed by an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

L. Representation, Voting and Proxies

1. Representation of all members of the Union at any duly called meeting of the Board of Directors, Executive Board and Master Executive Council is mandatory.  Elected repre-sentatives may be considered as acting against the best interests of the Union if they fail to represent, or arrange for representation of their constituents.  Proxies at any Union meeting shall be used only in a manner specifically provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws and shall not be given when the duly elected Officer or mem¬ber is personally present.

2. Whenever a roll call vote is taken, a representative shall vote all the members in good standing that that person represents.

3. A motion that requires a second must receive a voice second to be considered for discussion and action. Proxies are not acceptable for use as a second to a motion. This applies to all AFA-CWA meetings.

M. Obligation of Members to the Union

1. A member of the Union shall accept and agree to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Union as they are in force at the time that person is accepted for membership, or as they may be thereafter amended, changed, modified or adopted by the Board of Directors.

2. It is a member's obligation to maintain a current mailing address, name and status change information with the International Office Membership Department and with the member's Local Council President.  Failure to do so relieves the Union of any responsibility concerning its inability to establish due notice in any case, and the dispatch of mail to a member's last known address will constitute adequate service.

3. Members of the Union are specifically prohibited from the acts enumerated and set forth in Article X.A.1.

N. Parliamentary Law and Rules of Order

At any meeting of members or their elected representatives held under the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws, all questions of parliamentary law and rules of order not specifically provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws shall be decided according to the principles laid down in "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure," except that, when voting by roll call, the secret ballot provision shall not apply. (See Appendix A for outline of parliamentary procedures.)

O. Ballot Certification Committee

1. The Ballot Certification Committee shall be comprised of employees of the Union authorized to so serve by the Executive Board.  Nothing in the certification process shall deny the right of any member or candidate to be in attendance to witness the opening of transmittal envelopes, counting and certification of ballots.  Any member electing to be present as an observer is encouraged to remain in attendance until all ballots have been counted and certified.  Any member or candidate who witnesses the counting or certification of ballots shall sign a statement agreeing not to disclose the results of such ballots until they have been counted and certified.

2. The Ballot Certification Committee shall only certify the results of ballots conducted by the International Office.

P. Expenses

Normal expenses incurred by an officer, representative, or member while on Union business shall be reimbursed by the Union.  Allowable expenses shall include transportation, lodging, any pay for flying actually lost and verified, computed in accordance with the applicable employment agreement, and expenses for meals and incidentals conforming with the expense policy of the Union or which are approved by the International President and the International Secretary-Treasurer of the Union.

Q. Association Seal

The Official seal shall be:

A Master Executive Council may pass a resolution authorizing that the official AFA-CWA Pin be customized at its respective carrier with ribbons and/or other accessories or colors in order to promote solidarity among the membership in support of collective bargaining, or in support of any issue affecting flight attendants at that carrier.

R. Salary of Officers

There shall be no salary paid to any officer, except as provided in Article IV.H.